Forest preserves get $2.5 million

November 15, 2006|By William Presecky

KANE COUNTY — More than $2.5 million in state conservation grants have been awarded to the Kane County Forest Preserve District for projects and land purchases, according to a report presented Tuesday to district commissioners.

State funding to reimburse $1.5 million to the district for two major land purchases in south-central Kane County top the list of Illinois Department of Conservation approved grants, according to the report by Jerry Culp, the district's planning and development manager.

A $400,000 grant was awarded to cover half the cost of a plan to improve Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve near Elgin. The planned improvements include prairie restoration as well as construction of recreational trails, picnic shelters, restrooms, an entry drive and parking lot.

The state also gave grants of $344,100 for the Dick Young Forest Preserve, near Batavia; $112,600 for the Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve, west of Burlington; and $156,200 for the Pingree Grove Forest Preserve, west of Pingree Grove.

The district learned recently that it has been awarded a $22,800 state grant to fund the purchase of two snowmobiles and equipment to expand the district's snowmobile-patrol program, according to Forest Preserve District Police Chief Emad Eassa.

It will help forest preserve police patrol "areas that are relatively inaccessible by vehicle," Eassa said.

The state snowmobile grant program is funded entirely by snowmobile riders through registration fees, according to district executive director Monica Meyers.